Hebrews 10 8

Hebrews 10:8 kjv

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Hebrews 10:8 nkjv

Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law),

Hebrews 10:8 niv

First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them"?though they were offered in accordance with the law.

Hebrews 10:8 esv

When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law),

Hebrews 10:8 nlt

First, Christ said, "You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them" (though they are required by the law of Moses).

Hebrews 10 verses

Hebrews 10 8 Meaning

Hebrews 10:8 reveals God's ultimate dissatisfaction with the sacrifices and offerings prescribed under the Old Covenant Law. The verse quotes Psalm 40:6, asserting that the numerous types of ritual sacrifices – burnt offerings, sin offerings, and others – did not fully please God nor did they effectively deal with the root problem of sin. This statement serves to set the stage for the revelation of Christ's perfect, singular, and final sacrifice as the true means by which God's will is perfectly fulfilled and humanity is sanctified. It emphasizes that while the Old Testament rituals were commanded, they were never the ultimate goal but rather a temporary provision pointing to a greater reality.

Hebrews 10 8 Context

Hebrews 10:8 is deeply embedded within the larger argument of the Book of Hebrews, which meticulously presents Jesus Christ as superior to all previous forms of revelation, priesthood, and sacrifice. Chapter 10, in particular, focuses on the inadequacy of the Old Covenant Law and its sacrificial system to perfect the worshiper or truly take away sins (Heb 10:1-4). The author transitions from showing the endless repetition of Old Testament sacrifices (Heb 10:11) to emphasizing their foundational insufficiency. Hebrews 10:5-7 begins a crucial quote from Psalm 40:6-8 (LXX), which states God's non-desire for these sacrifices. Verse 8 reiterates the first part of this quotation, specifically mentioning God's lack of pleasure in the ceremonial offerings. This verse acts as a bridge, solidifying the inadequacy of the old system before the author introduces Christ's willing obedience and perfect, single sacrifice as the fulfillment of God's true desire (Heb 10:9-10). The historical context is that the audience, likely Jewish Christians facing persecution, was tempted to revert to the familiar, visible rituals of Judaism. The author argues that such a return would be a regression, as Christ's completed work is infinitely superior to the "shadows" of the Law.

Hebrews 10 8 Word analysis

• After saying above,: This phrase, "ἔθὰς λέγων ἀνώτερον" (phas legōn anōteron), acts as a transition, drawing the reader's attention back to the preceding verses (specifically Heb 10:5, which introduced the quote from Psalm 40). It highlights the sequential development of the argument, emphasizing that the writer is elaborating on a previously established point about the futility of Old Testament sacrifices.
• 'You have neither desired nor had pleasure in: The Greek phrase is "Θυσίας καὶ προσφορὰς οὐκ ἠθέλησας, οὐδὲ εὐδόκησας" (Thysias kai prosforas ouk ēthelēsas, oude eudokēsas).
  • desired (ἠθέλησας - ēthelēsas from thelō): Signifies a lack of willingness or ultimate purpose. God did not truly will or intend for these sacrifices to be the final solution for sin. It points to God's ultimate objective being something beyond ritual.
  • nor had pleasure in (οὐδὲ εὐδόκησας - oude eudokēsas from eudokeō): Implies a lack of ultimate satisfaction or delight. God did not find final gratification in the offering of animals, as they could not deal with the core issue of human sin or transform the heart. This points to the ceremonial offerings not fulfilling His ultimate design.
• sacrifices and offerings: (θυσίας καὶ προσφορὰς - thysias kai prosforas).
  • sacrifices (thysias): General term for animal sacrifices involving slaughter. These were central to the Israelite worship, for atonement, thanksgiving, etc.
  • offerings (prosforas): A broader term for various dedications, including bloodless offerings (grain, drink) or material contributions, though in this context, it still refers to offerings related to atonement or worship. The pairing underscores the comprehensiveness of all sacrificial types under the Mosaic Law.
• and burnt offerings and sin offerings: (ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας - holokautōmata kai peri hamartias).
  • burnt offerings (holokautōmata from holokautoma): "Whole burnt offerings," where the entire animal was consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement. These were voluntary atonement offerings.
  • sin offerings (peri hamartias): "Offerings for sin," specifically designated for atoning for sin and impurity. These were obligatory for various transgressions. The specific naming of these categories emphasizes that God’s rejection covered all the primary and most significant atonement rituals.
• (these are offered according to the law): (αἵτινες κατὰ νόμον προσφέρονται - haitines kata nomon prosferontai). This parenthetical clause is crucial. It acknowledges that these sacrifices were indeed commanded by the Mosaic Law. The author is not denying their legality or divine origin under the old covenant but highlighting their limitations and provisional nature within God's larger plan. They were prescribed rituals but were never meant to be eternally effective for spiritual perfection. This clarifies that the issue isn't disobeidience to the Law, but rather the inherent inability of the Law's provisions to achieve perfect redemption.

Hebrews 10 8 Bonus section

The Septuagint (LXX) version of Psalm 40:6-8 (which Hebrews 10 directly quotes) famously includes the phrase "but a body you have prepared for me" (sōma de katērtisō moi), which is central to the author of Hebrews' Christological interpretation. While Hebrews 10:8 only restates the negative aspect of God's non-desire for sacrifices, its immediate context (Heb 10:5-7) directly cites this "prepared body" phrase. This linguistic nuance from the LXX is crucial because it links the rejection of animal sacrifices directly to the provision of Christ's incarnate body as the perfect instrument for fulfilling God's will and achieving atonement. The Hebrew Masoretic Text of Psalm 40:6 says, "My ears you have opened," implying obedient listening. The LXX translation, by shifting to "a body you have prepared for me," provided the ideal linguistic bridge for the New Testament author to declare the incarnation and substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ as the true antitype to the Old Testament shadows. This isn't a "misquote" but a divinely inspired interpretation showing how the Old Testament scriptures pointed to Christ even in their subtle variations, aligning the Psalm's theme of perfect obedience with Christ's perfect human sacrifice.

Hebrews 10 8 Commentary

Hebrews 10:8 powerfully conveys the divine perspective on the Old Testament sacrificial system. By quoting Psalm 40:6-8, the author makes a profound theological statement: God's true desire was never fulfilled by the endless procession of animal sacrifices, even though these rituals were commanded under the Law. This does not imply that God disapproved of the Law in its time, but rather that He looked beyond its shadows to a greater reality. The sacrifices, despite their necessity for a time, were merely prophetic types, serving as a pedagogical tool to prepare the people for the ultimate solution.

The various categories of sacrifices listed – "sacrifices," "offerings," "burnt offerings," and "sin offerings" – encompass the entire spectrum of Israel's worship, from atonement to dedication. God's non-desire and lack of pleasure in these, while maintaining that they were offered "according to the law," underscore their provisional nature. They were imperfect coverings that reminded Israel of sin without ever fully removing its stain or perfecting the worshiper's conscience. They pointed to the future perfect sacrifice.

This verse therefore functions as a critical premise for the glorious declaration in Hebrews 10:9, where Christ proclaims His willingness to do God's will through His body, thereby superseding the old way. It emphasizes that what truly pleased God was not the ritual act of animal slaughter, but the perfect obedience and self-giving of His Son. The implications for believers are profound: we are no longer bound to animal sacrifices, nor can any human ritual or work achieve true reconciliation. Instead, our standing before God rests solely on Christ's single, eternally effective offering.

Examples for practical usage:

• Understanding that genuine faith involves heart obedience over outward ritual alone, similar to God valuing a willing spirit over prescribed sacrifices.
• Realizing that external religious performance cannot atone for sin or perfectly please God; true acceptance comes through Christ's perfect work.
• Appreciating the profound grace of the New Covenant, where the need for endless rites has been replaced by the finished work of Jesus.